Hi Bonneville,
I can probably spout on about line tapers, rod design, and the benefits of click pawl drags, but boats are foreign to me. From looking at that boat design, I could tell you that it could do the job for you, but I can't tell you how well and why.

If you post on Dan Blanton's board or Bill Kiene's board, you could probably get a more detailed answer. A lot of California Delta fishermen post there. On Facebook, look up the name Hogan Brown. He is a guide and Idylwilde signature tier who fishes for Largemouth Bass and Striped Bass on the Sacramento River near Chico, as well as drifting the Lower Yuba. Hogan told me that he uses a Lowe Roughneck jon boat for bassing.

Get the boat fast. Smallmouth Bass fishing is great on Scott's Flat right now. That would be a good shakedown cruise for you.